Saudi university project looks at Kingdom’s water resources
Project aims to focus on Saudi Arabia’s rising water consumption amid a growing population
Updated 11 September 2023
Arab News
RIYADH: The King Abdulaziz University’s Water Research Center has launched a project aimed at conserving water in the Kingdom’s valleys, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
The research center is working on hydrological atlases focusing on surface and groundwater resources in different regions.
It has already completed work on the regions of Makkah and Jazan, as well as Madinah, Hail, and Al-Qassim. It has started work on atlases for the Tabuk and Al-Jouf regions.
The project aims to focus on Saudi Arabia’s rising water consumption amid a growing population.
The atlases look to educate scientific bodies, specialized research institutes, and decision-makers about the hydrology of distinct valley basins, as well as their impact on surface water supplies and groundwater recharge.
Advanced monitoring technologies, remote sensing techniques, and geographic information systems will be used throughout the research process.
The atlases will seek to promote optimal rainwater usage while reducing flood risks.
Dr. Iqbal Ismail, director of the university’s research center, spoke of the project’s mission to address water issues locally, nationally, regionally, and internationally through research, consultations, training, and information dissemination.
The center plans to establish a database focused on water resources in Saudi Arabia and link it to regional and international databases.
Experimental farm in Al-Lith looks into future of Saudi Arabian agriculture
Research initiative reflects strategic transformation
Updated 21 min 35 sec ago
SPA
JEDDAH: An experimental farm in Saudi Arabia’s Al-Lith Governorate is one of the research initiatives reflecting the strategic transformation taking place in the Kingdom’s agricultural sector.
The farm uses highly efficient, sustainable production models that combine scientific research with commercial application, contributing to strengthening the country’s food security system and the sustainability of water resources.
Located in the Ghumaiqa Center on an area of about 10 hectares, the cutting-edge farm is a testing platform for modern agricultural technologies that tackle the challenge of water scarcity.
The farm includes developed open fields and modern greenhouses, supported by smart irrigation encompassing drip and sprinkler irrigation alongside surface and subsurface technologies.
All the systems operate via smart controls that enable the monitoring of water consumption and ensure improved efficiency, thereby achieving a balance between agricultural production and water conservation.
The farm also uses treated and diluted low-salinity seawater.
It aims to diversify agricultural water sources, reduce reliance on freshwater, and open new horizons for agriculture in coastal and semi-arid environments.
A view of the experimental farm in Al-Lith. (SPA)
The project represents a promising investment opportunity in the field of smart agriculture, enabling the development of commercially scalable production models, particularly for high-value vegetables and fruits, while reducing operational costs associated with water and energy, enhancing the economic feasibility of future agricultural projects.
In addition, the project contributes to transferring and localizing agricultural expertise, supporting local food supply chains, and creating an attractive environment for agricultural investment.
This aligns with Sustainable Development Goals and enhances the efficiency of the private sector in adopting innovative agricultural solutions.
Yahya bin Abdulrahman Al-Mahabi, the director of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture office in Al-Lith Governorate, told the Saudi Press Agency that the project represented the future of agriculture in the Kingdom.
He explained that the vision was based on investing in technology, enhancing the return on water per unit, and integrating scientific research with investment opportunities.
Al-Mahabi spoke of the experimental farm as a modern, scalable and replicable model applicable in several regions of the Kingdom, particularly in coastal environments.
Al-Mahabi highlighted the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture’s commitment to supporting distinctive projects that contributed to achieving food security while developing rural areas and enhancing agricultural production efficiency, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
